Australian road championships: Rachel Neylan thinks big after a year of trials

This time last year, as Rachel Neylan prepared for the women's elite road race at the Australian championships in Buninyong, ahead of her and beyond the 102 kilometres she was about to race was a future that, for the most part, was uncertain.

"I knew I was going to go to the world championships and race in Europe but I had no team and no plan for Europe," the 2012 world titles silver medallist said on Saturday before a final ride to prepare for Sunday's national title race.

Ready to go one better: Rachel Neylan, left, after a narrow defeat to Peta Mullins in last year's road race. Photo: John Veage

"All I had was a good inner circle of a coaching network in Brad McGee and the support of NSWIS. I had my own personal backing, which is pretty deep inner strength from lots of trials and tribulations."

As last year's race unfolded, that strength drove Neylan to an impressive second-place finish behind Victorian Peta Mullens in a two-up sprint for the title.

After being signed by Orica-AIS, that same strength also helped her when the year reached it lowest ebb in August after the death of her father Anthony from cancer.

In the days that followed, Neylan still found the strength to travel to the United States and race for Australia in the world road championships in Richmond, Virginia.

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On Saturday, as Neylan looked back on the past four months, the 33-year-old Sydneysider said: "It's been a pretty massive rollercoaster for me. [My father] was a huge supporter of my cycling career so I hold him in my heart pretty proudly.

"Obviously, I'm motivated for a big result [in Sunday's race]. I was motivated when I put on the green and gold [at the world championships] straight afterwards.

"My dad has given me a lot of inspiration and freedom. He's been one of my best mates and has totally supported my whole cycling career from the word go.

"'I'm always motivated for a national championships. I've come fourth, third and second. So it could be my year but, to be honest, we've got an extraordinarily strong team."

These championships mark Neylan's first appearance in Australia in the colours of Orica-AIS.

While her second place in last year's national road title raised interest, it was not until after she won the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race soon after that interest led to the contract to race for Orica-AIS on the world circuit.

The difference in her life now is certainly not lost on Neylan who, for the first time on Sunday, will be racing in the national title race for a team with a collective goal.

"It was all or nothing last year but this year there is a bit more tactics involved and the ability to go all-in for a team result," Neylan said.

"We're extremely focused on bringing the green and gold jersey to Orica-AIS.

"For the first time ever in Orica-AIS colours on Australian soil, it's my first national championships with a full team.

"I couldn't be more excited to have a good hit-out on Buninyong with these girls."